137: The most dangerous place in Annam: Ailao Mountain!
"Shangguan Zhuiyue? Your name is quite lovely. A bright moon is pure and a person is like jade; you are just like the moon, beautiful!"
Chen Chuanjie looked at her reflection in the pool and said with a smile.
Shangguan Zhuiyue's expression stiffened. She then stole a glance at Chen Chuanjie and snorted coldly.
"Don't think that just because you've praised me a little, I'll go easy on you. You will definitely die by my hand!"
Chen Chuanjie laughed heartily, turned to look at the stunningly beautiful girl, and chuckled.
"If that day truly comes, I won't regret it. To die beneath a peony flower and be a romantic ghost is worth it!"
Shangguan Zhuiyue's cherry-red lips parted as if to curse Chen Chuanjie, but facing his attitude, she couldn't bring herself to do it. She could only turn around and leave.
[Remember this site's domain name; the Taiwan Novel Network library is vast and comprehensive at ƚɯƙαɳ.ƈσɱ.]
"Roast another fish for me tomorrow. Your Chen family shouldn't be so stingy!"
Chen Chuanjie watched Shangguan Zhuiyue's receding, slender figure and let out a chuckle, shouting:
"No problem! Miss Shangguan, feel free to come over whenever you like!"
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While Chen Chuanjie and Shangguan Zhuiyue were roasting fish together, Chen Changsheng was discussing the matter of the moonlight stone milk with Chuanwen.
"Has Zhao Song found the location of the Stone Clan's Holy Land yet?"
Chen Changsheng frowned as he asked Chuanjie. During the first business deal with the Stone Clan, Chen Changsheng had secretly asked Zhao Song to find the location of the Stone Clan's Holy Land. He suspected that the moonlight stone milk was located within it.
"He did find it. According to Zhao Song, their Holy Land is guarded by experts. It might be very difficult to steal the stone milk secretly."
Chen Chuanjie shared his information with Chen Changsheng. After a moment of thought, Chen Changsheng said:
"We must obtain the moonlight stone milk. If we can't steal it, we'll fight our way in and seize it!"
Chuanwen's brow furrowed upon hearing this. He countered in a low voice:
"The Stone Clan has many experts. Our Chen family alone probably isn't a match for them yet. I think it's better to talk to them; getting just a few drops of moonlight stone milk would be ideal."
Chen Changsheng nodded. The Stone Clan was located in Ailao Mountain, which was far too dangerous. Fighting them there offered little chance of victory. Moreover, the Stone Clan was a partner of the Chen family; antagonizing them would be like cutting off their own arm.
"Have Zhao Song tell Old Kuai to get ready. I will personally go to Ailao Mountain to talk with the Stone Clan's Clan Chief."
After some consideration, Chen Changsheng spoke to Chen Chuanwen, who immediately objected.
"Father, let me go. You shouldn't take such a risk. After all, you still need to perform Alchemy. If something happens to you, where will my third brother find another Alchemist?"
Chen Changsheng chuckled and patted Chen Chuanwen on the shoulder, saying jovially:
"Chuanwen, if you go, do you even know how to collect the stone milk? Your father isn't old yet; I can still carry this family!"
Chen Chuanwen hesitated several times but ultimately didn't speak. He only thought silently that he must cultivate hard so his father would never have to take risks again.
The next day, Chen Changsheng descended from Jade Dragon Peak and reached the Black Ice Platform's outpost. Zhao Song and Old Kuai were already there waiting for him.
"Head of the Chen Family, you are welcome to visit our Stone Clan. If the Clan Chief knows you are coming, he will surely receive you with the etiquette reserved for the most honored guests!"
Upon seeing Chen Changsheng, Old Kuai immediately wore a fawning, smiling expression. Over the past year, with Chen Changsheng's financial support, the Stone Clan's life had steadily improved. Chen Changsheng was now essentially the benefactor of the entire Stone Clan!
"Haha, no need for formalities, Old Kuai. I'm going to see your Clan Chief because I have a favor to ask!"
Chen Changsheng said with a smile. He then turned to Zhao Song and asked in a low voice:
"How has the Black Ice Platform been developing lately?"
Zhao Song's strength was now quite high, having reached the Blood Refining Realm. Yet, his attitude toward Chen Changsheng remained unchanged. He nodded and replied:
"Reporting to Adoptive Father: while helping Senior Ma search for his son, our influence has gradually expanded into the other five counties. With Senior Ma overseeing things, development is smooth. Any obstacles are crushed in a single strike!"
Chen Changsheng nodded. He had high expectations for the Black Ice Platform. While they might not help much in terms of raw combat power given the Chen family's current strength, they were excellent at intelligence gathering. The Chen family needed information; otherwise, they would be deaf and blind.
"You must not only plant moles but also do your best to help Ma Zhiwen find his son. Furthermore, once you've established a presence in the other five counties, try to extend your reach into the Prefecture City. That is the core of Annan Prefecture!"
"Yes, Adoptive Father. Zhao Song understands!"
Zhao Song nodded with a serious expression and cupped his fists toward Chen Changsheng.
"Alright, Old Kuai, take me into Ailao Mountain. I want to meet your Clan Chief!"
After giving his instructions to Zhao Song, Chen Changsheng asked Old Kuai to lead the way. Old Kuai immediately stepped forward to lead, saying fawningly:
"No problem! Head of the Chen Family, please follow me!"
Chen Changsheng dismounted and followed Old Kuai toward Ailao Mountain.
Ailao Mountain, Annan Prefecture's largest mountain range and its number one danger zone. It is rumored to be a land cursed by the Dragon God; to go deep inside means certain death!
From the moment Chen Changsheng stepped into Ailao Mountain, he sensed the danger. The area was covered in towering ancient trees. Even the smallest tree required three people joining hands to encircle it, showing just how thick and tall the trees of Ailao Mountain were.
The canopies of the giant trees merged together, blocking out the sunlight and making it seem as if the sky had changed within Ailao Mountain. Looking up, one could only see a dense mass of leaves.
"Head of the Chen Family, we have now entered Ailao Mountain. You must not wander off. If you hear strange sounds or someone calling your name, do not go toward them. Just stay behind me!"
Old Kuai took out a torch, casting a small light into the gloomy, dark Ailao Mountain. He turned back and gave Chen Changsheng a serious warning.
"Understood, Old Kuai. Just lead the way; I will be extra careful."
Chen Changsheng nodded to Old Kuai, and the two headed deeper into Ailao Mountain.
Fortunately, with Old Kuai leading, they took a path that the Stone Clan had verified with lives over a century, allowing them to proceed safely.
However, Chen Changsheng still encountered many dangers: pervasive mist, sudden torrential storms, eerie figures lurking in the mountains, and Shanxiao with wide eyes and bared fangs... Old Kuai was experienced and led Chen Changsheng to avoid these dangers one by one. In Ailao Mountain, where the sun and moon were invisible, they didn't know how long they had been walking when a valley appeared before Chen Changsheng.
"Head of the Chen Family, we've arrived! That valley is the gathering place of our Stone Clan!"
Old Kuai looked at the valley and let out a long sigh of relief. Chen Changsheng was the benefactor of their Stone Clan; if he were injured in Ailao Mountain, Old Kuai couldn't atone for it even with his own life. Thus, he had been under immense pressure throughout the journey!
"Finally here. Fortunately, I had you to lead the way; otherwise, I never would have made it through this incredibly dangerous Ailao Mountain!"
Chen Changsheng looked at the deep valley, and his expression finally relaxed. The journey had been far too perilous. Never mind a Qi Refining level one Cultivator like Chen Changsheng; he felt that even someone at the Foundation Establishment Stage would die if they wandered aimlessly through this eerie and dangerous place!"